Media Center - Hinojosa Secures $900,000 In FY2007 Energy And Water Appropriations Bill: Congressman Ruben Hinojosa Representing the 15th District of Texas

HINOJOSA SECURES $900,000 IN FY2007 ENERGY AND WATER APPROPRIATIONS BILL

Money to be Used for Water Conservation Projects and Studies

Washington, DC (May 25, 2006) – Today, Congressman Rubén Hinojosa (TX-15) announced that he has secured $900,000 for water conservation projects in H.R. 5427, the Energy and Water Development Appropriations Act for FY07. This bill provides $30.5 billion for FY07 for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Department of Interior, the Department of Energy, and several Independent Agencies.

Among the allocations secured by Congressman Hinojosa were:

• $50,000 for Lower Rio Grande Water Conservation Projects – Money will continue work currently being conducted to line irrigation canals. The first project has been completed, and 12 more are under construction. A recent Texas A&M University Study shows an average 85 percent savings of water that was previously lost through evaporation and seepage.

• $350,000 for a Lower San Antonio Basin Study – A multi-purpose study addressing flood damage reduction and ecosystem restoration in Wilson, Karnes and Goliad Counties.

• $250,000 for a Nueces River Basin Feasibility Study – A feasibility study into the relationships between surface water, groundwater, and the communities dependent on such water. The project’s goal is to restore ecosystems of the Nueces River Delta through increased freshwater flows; reduce damage from flooding; and, increase stream flows.

• $300,000 to complete the Raymondville Drain project – This funding will help with the construction of flood relief drains that will link to the Raymondville Drain Project creating a flood network that has an outlet linked to the Gulf of Mexico. (With Rep. Ortiz)

“Over the past year, the 15th Congressional District has had to deal with flooding and now a terrible drought,” said Hinojosa. “We of course face these types of weather shifts and conditions year in and year out, but we must find ways to conserve our water resources, and look for new and feasible technologies to create new water management systems. I will continue working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure that these funds are preserved in the final conference report.”